Model systems for the understanding of lignified plant cell wall formation

In order to mimic the first steps of lignification, pectin/synthetic lignin (dehydrogenation polymers (DHPs)) interactions were investigated using reconstructing approaches. In artificially lignified bacterial cellulose(BC)/pectin composites, DHP nodules display a more dispersed distribution than in BC mats. Occurrence of covalent linkages between pectin and DHP was investigated by solid state NMR. Non-covalent bonds seem to govern the associative behaviour and stability of the complexes. Studied by small angle neutron scattering, a compaction process of DHP/pectin clusters occurs during polymerization and phase separation of the two polymers was shown at the nanometer scale.